To make the potential of altered states of consciousness accessible for human development, we need to create a new and responsible culture around psychedelic and mind-altering practices. That is why the INSIGHT Forum opened its doors in February 2024. 

Here, we critically examine the science and practice of consciousness from a variety of angles - medical, psychological, philosophical, sociological, economic and many other perspectives - in order to engage in a diverse discourse. Ultimately, we strive for a responsible integration of psychedelic and other mind-altering states into medicine and society, as described by the German philosopher Thomas Metzinger with the term Bewusstseinskultur, a culture of consciousness: “A Bewusstseinskultur is a culture that examines the mental states of its members in an evidence-based way and assesses and cultivates them from an ethical perspective. Of course, building such a culture also requires a better understanding of consciousness itself.”

Accordingly, the aim of the INSIGHT Forum is to provide education, fact-based information and to raise the public discourse on psychedelics and mind-altering experiences to a scientific level. Each event consists of three parts: the Rationale as critical-intellectual, science-oriented discourse, the Transrationale as an experience-based practice such as meditation or breathwork, and Communitas as a space for networking and get-together. Through this combination of activities, we strive to build a new cultural context that supports an ethical practice of altered states of consciousness and the values of a so-called Bewusstseinskultur. 

In the Rationale part of each of our INSIGHT Forum events, experts share their academic research, professional experience or other forms of knowledge in a logically structured and rationally accessible way. The aim is to identify and critically discuss theories and research findings that have the potential to improve medicine and society. The topics discussed and presented are related to the development of an ethically reflected Bewusstseinskultur. Sometimes we also hold panel talks to bring together several expert opinions. One idea behind this is to build a bridge between science and experience. The Rationale part of each event is also available online via live stream.

The transrational activities at INSIGHT Forum events aim to explore and learn about practices that bring body and mind into contact, have a mind-altering effect and ultimately enable us to see ourselves and our social and ecological environment in a different light. Accordingly, together at our events we practice techniques, such as meditation, that “transcend the rational”, i.e. transrational in the sense that we focus on pre-theoretical or embodied experiences, which we then reflect upon together and integrate in a science-based way.

Typical activities in this transrational part of the event include secular meditation techniques, Bohm dialogues, breathing techniques, musical performances and many more.

The third part of each event is dedicated to building personal and professional relationships between our guests, our speakers, and organizers. Communitas is a space for networking and get-togethers at the end of each event. Building a network also means building a community and creating a sense of belonging in the spirit of a Bewusstseinskultur. In this way, we can drive social change and initiate a social dynamic that leads to more awareness about nature, psyche, and the responsible use of psychedelics in our society.